Eastwood City boasts full Wi-Fi access

Technology-friendly cities all over the world provide easy access to modern global communication networks such as the Internet. With the increasing popularity of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology, these cities provide the public with an array of online services in specific locations with a Wi-Fi signal, better known as "hot spots."

London in the United Kingdom, boasting 856 hot spots, is considered the Wi-Fi-friendliest city in the world. Tokyo in Japan tops the list of Asian Wi-Fi cities with 257 hot spots. Meanwhile, Singapore has equipped its entire city with Wi-Fi infrastructure, and plans to give its residents free wireless Internet access for two years starting last month.

In the Philippines, premier property developer Megaworld Corp. has gone out of its way to transform its pioneering Eastwood City project into a technology-friendly venue offering full Wi-Fi access.

In 2004, Megaworld tapped Airborne Access, the country’s premier Wi-Fi Internet provider, to install a Wi-Fi network in Eastwood City. The infrastructure allowed patrons of several cafés and restaurants in Eastwood City Walk to access the Internet wirelessly.

Last August, the network was expanded to include more areas. Full deployment of Wi-Fi technology is expected by yearend, making Eastwood City the first — if not the only — "hot spot city" in the country.

Residents, tenants and visitors now enjoy instant connectivity to the World Wide Web 24 hours a day from all areas of Eastwood City. Among the Internet services made possible by Wi-Fi technology are Web browsing, checking and sending e-mail, chatting via instant messaging facilities, file downloading, and gaming.

"Wi-Fi Internet connectivity is the newest addition to a long list of lifestyle conveniences at Eastwood City," says Megaworld Commercial Division head Kevin Tan. "Such technology allows our patrons to enjoy better, richer experiences in one click."

To access the Internet, users need only a Wi-Fi-ready device such as a laptop, mobile phone, personal digital assistant or Pocket PC. They also need to purchase Wingspan wireless Internet prepaid cards available at key locations in Eastwood City.

The Wingspan 1 card provides 60 minutes of Wi-Fi access for only P100. Meanwhile, the Wingspan 5 card offers five hours of wireless Internet for P300. For those with the Airport Access service previously enabled on their device, Internet access is free.